Introducing our latest board member!
HopeCo is grateful to have experienced board members who are passionate about our vision and are fully share our values. Our board ensures that HopeCo remains true to its mission, helps develop our goals and strategies, and raises awareness and support for our work. They are an invaluable part of our HopeCo family - and we want you to have the opportunity to get to know them!
Our most recent Board recruit, Al Lackey, was President of Kids Alive International for 19 years. Al has extensive nonprofit experience and a heart for both missions and children. HopeCo’s CEO, Matt Parker, used to work with Al and introduced him to our organization. Al became a board member because he loves what God is doing through HopeCo and is passionate about helping further our mission in Africa.
Al has had a deep passion for helping children throughout his life. He has been a teacher, basketball coach, and director at Cedar Lake Bible Conference Center where he ran youth camps. He then switched gears towards international missions with Kids Alive: “I know the kids in the US have needs and desperately need Christ, but I felt that there was a whole group of kids around the world that needed someone to help them,” he says.
As he began to see the immense needs facing vulnerable children and women around the world - including trafficking, AIDS, abuse, and the orphan crisis - Al knew that he was called to help. “I was especially concerned for single moms in Africa who were so hardworking, but sadly were often abused and taken advantage of by men. So we began to help the women become independent and learn skills. It was amazing to see the life come back into them, and to see the smiles, singing, and joy when they could make it on their own,” he explains.
Al meeting children in a camp for displaced people in Sudan while President at Kids Alive
Al is excited that he can use his experience to help HopeCo grow in new ways and expand our successful model in Tanzania into Kenya, and then further in East Africa. His desire is to see emotionally, physically, and spiritually healthy men and women who are making a difference in their own communities and nations.
When talking about the children we strive to serve in East Africa, Al says, “You just have to love kids. They have such a great sense of humor, even in difficult situations, and they just need hope and support, and to learn about Christ. Give them the tools to let them grow - no child is beyond help.”
There are many ways to help children, families, and communities in East Africa. Sponsor a child and send the message “you are special,” to them. Be a Hope Ambassador and help rescue women out of abusive situations in Kenya. Or become a Hope Partner and support a specific ministry site. We are grateful for your partnership!